Wideband antenna array

Abstract

An improved antenna array is distinguished inter alia by the following features: each of at least two antenna columns contains at least one supplementary antenna element, the at least two supplementary antenna elements are arranged such that the centers of the at least two supplementary antenna elements are arranged with a horizontal lateral spacing (b) that is smaller than the lateral spacing (a) between the centers of the antenna element groups or of the antenna elements in the two antenna columns, the wideband antenna elements in a respective antenna column are fed jointly together with the at least one supplementary antenna element, and a distribution network is provided for the at least one antenna element group with the at least one associated antenna element with an associated filter function (F) for the at least one associated supplementary antenna element, which radiate in a higher frequency subband than the wideband antenna elements.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. Antenna array, in particular for mobile communications, comprising:
 at least one pair of antenna columns which are oriented so as to extend in the vertical direction or predominantly in the vertical direction and are positioned side by side in the horizontal direction, 
 at least one radiator group having at least one radiator arranged in at least two antenna columns in each case, which radiator is configured to transmit and/or receive in a single-polarized, dual-polarized or circularly or elliptically polarized manner, 
 the at least one radiator being designed as a broadband radiator such that it can transmit and/or receive electromagnetic signals at a relative bandwidth of ≥25%, 
 at least one auxiliary radiator provided in at least two antenna columns in each case, 
 the at least two auxiliary radiators being arranged such that the centers of the at least two auxiliary radiators are arranged at a horizontal lateral distance that is less than the lateral distance between the centers of the radiator groups or the radiators in the two antenna columns, 
 the broadband radiators in a particular antenna column being jointly powered together with the at least one auxiliary radiator, and 
 a distribution network provided for the at least one radiator group comprising the at least one associated radiator which has an associated filter function for the at least one associated auxiliary radiator, which network is designed such that the at least one broadband radiator transmits and/or receives in a broadband frequency band, and specifically at a center frequency that is lower than a comparatively higher frequency band or frequency sub-band having a center frequency which is transmitted and/or received by the relevant auxiliary radiator, 
 wherein the comparatively higher frequency band or frequency sub-band that is received and/or transmitted via the relevant auxiliary radiator and which has a higher center frequency overlaps completely or only in part with the broadband frequency band having a comparatively lower center frequency. 
 
     
     
       2. Antenna array according to  claim 1 , wherein the filter is designed as a high-pass filter, a band-stop filter or a band-pass filter. 
     
     
       3. Antenna array according to  claim 2 , wherein the filter function in the form of a high-pass filter, a band-stop filter or a bandpass filter, comprises a matching circuit for matching the radiator impedance to a power supply network. 
     
     
       4. Antenna array according to  claim 1 , wherein the distribution network is constructed such that the amplitude distribution with respect to the at least one auxiliary radiator or the plurality of auxiliary radiators for the upper frequency range or frequency sub-range is evenly matched to the amplitude distribution of the broadband radiator with respect to the entire frequency range. 
     
     
       5. Antenna array according to  claim 1 , wherein the distribution network is constructed such that the at least one auxiliary radiator in each antenna column is powered or operated at an amplitude or power that is higher than that of the broadband radiators. 
     
     
       6. Antenna array according to  claim 1 , wherein the distribution network is constructed such that the at least one auxiliary radiator in each antenna column is powered or operated at an amplitude or power that is equal to or less than that of the broadband radiators. 
     
     
       7. Antenna array according to  claim 1 , wherein the broadband radiators in the at least two antenna columns are arranged so as to be offset in the same vertical position or in the vertical direction. 
     
     
       8. Antenna array according to  claim 1 , wherein the mechanical column distance between the center of two adjacent antenna columns is from 0.2λ, to 1.2λ, based on the center frequency of the broadband radiators for the entire frequency range. 
     
     
       9. Antenna array according to  claim 1 , wherein the broadband radiators are constructed such that they can transmit and/or receive in a frequency band of from 1650 MHz to 2900 MHz. 
     
     
       10. Antenna array according to  claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary radiators are constructed such that they can transmit and/or receive in a frequency band of from 2300 MHz to 2600 MHz. 
     
     
       11. Antenna array according to  claim 1 , wherein the broadband radiators are constructed such that they can transmit and/or receive in a frequency band of from 698 MHz to 960 MHz. 
     
     
       12. Antenna array according to  claim 1 , wherein the broadband radiators are designed such that they can be operated at a relative bandwidth of greater than 25%. 
     
     
       13. Antenna array according to  claim 1 , wherein the distribution network is formed on a printed board. 
     
     
       14. Antenna array according to  claim 1 , wherein the distribution network is formed by cables and filters. 
     
     
       15. Antenna array according to  claim 1 , wherein the antenna array comprises radiator groups and radiators which are formed so as to be the same, different and/or separate for the transmit mode and receive mode. 
     
     
       16. Antenna array according to  claim 1 , wherein the distribution network comprises adjustable phase shifters. 
     
     
       17. Antenna array for operating in a mobile communications frequency band, comprising:
 first and second antenna columns oriented to extend at least predominantly in a vertical direction and positioned side by side in a horizontal direction; 
 a first broadband polarized radiator arranged in the first antenna column; 
 a second broadband polarized antenna arranged in the second antenna column, the first and second broadband polarized radiators being configured to transmit and/or receive polarized mobile communications frequency band signals in a broadband frequency band at a relative bandwidth of ≥25%; 
 a first auxiliary radiator provided in the first antenna column, 
 a second auxiliary radiator provided in the second antenna column, the first and second auxiliary radiators being arranged such that centers of the first and second auxiliary radiators are arranged at a horizontal lateral distance that is less than a lateral distance between the centers of the first and second broadband polarized radiators in the first and second antenna columns; and 
 at least one distribution network configuring the antenna array to achieve a substantially constant electrical radiator distance over the mobile communications frequency band while suppressing undesired side lobes by (1) jointly powering the first auxiliary radiator together with the first and second broadband radiators, (2) jointly powering the first and second auxiliary radiator together with the second broadband radiator, and (3) providing a filter function for the first auxiliary radiator that is associated with the first broadband polarized radiator such that the first broadband polarized radiator transmits and/or receives in the broadband frequency band having a center frequency that is lower than the center frequency of a comparatively higher frequency band or frequency sub-band which is transmitted or received by the first auxiliary radiator, the comparatively higher frequency band or frequency sub-band that is received and/or transmitted by the auxiliary radiator at least in part overlapping the broadband frequency band having a comparatively lower center frequency. 
 
     
     
       18. Antenna array for operating in a mobile communications frequency band, comprising:
 first and second antenna columns oriented to extend at least predominantly in a vertical direction and positioned side by side in a horizontal direction; 
 a first broadband polarized radiator arranged in the first antenna column; 
 a second broadband polarized antenna arranged in the second antenna column, the first and second broadband polarized radiators being configured to transmit and/or receive polarized mobile communications frequency band signals in a broadband frequency band at a relative bandwidth of ≥25%; 
 a first auxiliary radiator provided in the first antenna column, 
 a second auxiliary radiator provided in the second antenna column, the first and second auxiliary radiators being arranged such that centers of the first and second auxiliary radiators are arranged at a horizontal lateral distance that is less than a lateral distance between the centers of the first and second broadband polarized radiators in the first and second antenna columns; and 
 distribution network means for configuring the antenna array to achieve a substantially constant electrical radiator distance over the mobile communications frequency band while suppressing undesired side lobes, the distribution network means for:
 (1) jointly powering the first auxiliary radiator together with the first and second broadband radiators, 
 (2) jointly powering the first and second auxiliary radiator together with the second broadband radiator, and 
 (3) providing a filter function for the first auxiliary radiator that is associated with the first broadband polarized radiator such that the first broadband polarized radiator transmits and/or receives over the broadband frequency band having a center frequency that is lower than a comparatively higher frequency band or frequency sub-band having a center frequency which is transmitted or received by the first auxiliary radiator, the comparatively higher frequency band or frequency sub-band that is received and/or transmitted by the auxiliary radiator at least in part overlapping the broadband frequency band having a comparatively lower center frequency.